2025 Sportscar Thread (WEC, IMSA, NLS, GT World Challenge)

[df76]

I think that with reference already to the much welcome ELMS Silverstone race return in other posts, it's just about time to start the 2025 thread.

Dubai 24h race is only 18 days away, and some Rovanpera news. This'll certainly spark some media interest. https://www.24hseries.com/news/kalle-rovanpera-to-...

I'm hoping for a flying trip to WEC Imola, but some light planning to do first.

[Defconluke]

I watched the first race of 2024 at Quatar and decided I needed to go to a WEC race so went to Imola.

Ticketing is done by a single site (Ticketone.it) and the paddock tickets had sold out but GA was fine by me, especially as I was only going to be there for raceday. Grandstands seemed to be open entry but get there 2-3 hours before race start if you want somewhere on the main straight. Flights were cheap (Ryanair, Stansted to Bologna) and I managed to nab a hire car for about £10/day (basic but almost brand new Fiat Panda). Went to Ferrari and Lamborghini museums before leaving on the Monday evening but could have quite happily stayed a few more days and explored Bologna itself.




I also did IMSA's Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis later in the year.

Direct flights in and out of Chicago. Hired an RV (can be done on a normal car licence) and then drove down to Indy (not the greatest drive) and stayed in the parking lot at the track - it was great to wake up and see the circuit every morning. Got absolutely roasted alive for the Friday and Saturday with how hot it was before things dampened and cooled off on race day (I might be cursed as Imola was also a bit damp during the race). Stayed in Chicago for a few days after to explore before flying back.







Two tracks with a lot of history.

This year it's WEC at LM24 (with a slight detour on the way over to Rock Am Ring at the Nurburgring the weekend before), ELMS at Silverstone and trying to get to a few national series events too.

[FredericRobinson]

No Le Mans this year for me, but will get to the WEC at Spa, and then a fortnight trip taking in both the Nurburgring and Spa 24s, plus ELMS at Silverstone and a few British GT meetings

[df76]

Liking the above trips. Imola has been booked here, and nothing seems to be very expensive. Travel to Bologna also looks to be a breeze on the train.

[G321]

Need to do a WEC round from the posts above.
This year I will have to make do with Daytona in 3 weeks time and then a few British GT rounds

[brabhambt52b]

New here, interested in people's plans as want to get more tracks in. Going to Spa for first time this year should be good.

How are you doing Daytona, is it relatively easy?

[G321]

brabhambt52b said:

New here, interested in people's plans as want to get more tracks in. Going to Spa for first time this year should be good.

How are you doing Daytona, is it relatively easy?

Daytona is very easy, this will be our second trip after going 2 years ago. Flying from Heathrow to Orlando on the Thursday and spending the first night at an airport hotel, next night we're going to a town further north for a night and then 2 nights at daytona beach for the race. Flight back is Monday evening. Will take ubers to and from the track. Race tickets are $99 and this gets you access to the whole paddock and even onto the track before the race. The access is the big difference between US races and European races as its a lot more fan friendly. The overall cost is probably similar to a weekend at the British GP with seats and camping etc.

[df76]

brabhambt52b said:

New here, interested in people's plans as want to get more tracks in. Going to Spa for first time this year should be good.

How are you doing Daytona, is it relatively easy?

Spa is a great trip. Take your walking boots and clothes for all weather conditions, and give yourself time to visit the while circuit. The WEC meeting there was one of my best motorsport experiences.

[brabhambt52b]

G321 said:

Daytona is very easy, this will be our second trip after going 2 years ago. Flying from Heathrow to Orlando on the Thursday and spending the first night at an airport hotel, next night we're going to a town further north for a night and then 2 nights at daytona beach for the race. Flight back is Monday evening. Will take ubers to and from the track. Race tickets are $99 and this gets you access to the whole paddock and even onto the track before the race. The access is the big difference between US races and European races as its a lot more fan friendly. The overall cost is probably similar to a weekend at the British GP with seats and camping etc.

Excellent, thanks for the details, will add this to my to do list.

[brabhambt52b]

df76 said:

Spa is a great trip. Take your walking boots and clothes for all weather conditions, and give yourself time to visit the while circuit. The WEC meeting there was one of my best motorsport experiences.

Thanks for the suggestions, yeah going to be alot of walking.

Does anyone know how tickets for the grandstands work at WEC at spa? Are they free and first come gets in? I can't see anywhere to buy them on the ticket website.

[df76]

brabhambt52b said:

df76 said:

Spa is a great trip. Take your walking boots and clothes for all weather conditions, and give yourself time to visit the while circuit. The WEC meeting there was one of my best motorsport experiences.

Thanks for the suggestions, yeah going to be alot of walking.

Does anyone know how tickets for the grandstands work at WEC at spa? Are they free and first come gets in? I can't see anywhere to buy them on the ticket website.

Grandstands will be open and free to use.

[itsallyellow]

brabhambt52b said:

Excellent, thanks for the details, will add this to my to do list.

Sounds very similar to us! We went in 2023 and will be going again this year. In 2023 we flew out on the Wednesday and spent Thursday through to Sunday at the track like we would do at le mans. To be honest there is less to do at Daytona than lemans mainly due the the size difference. At daytona everything is one place so didnt feel like it needed all 4 days. This would be different if you were camping at the track or in a RV as im sure the evenings would be great fun.

This year fly out on the Thursday, stay in Orlando Thursday night, a day at universal studios on the Friday and then drive up to Daytona beach for the weekend and the race. Food booked at a decent restaurant for Sunday night. Then fly home Monday evening.

Im not brave enough use Ubers so will be in a hire car.

[G321]

itsallyellow said:

Sounds very similar to us! We went in 2023 and will be going again this year. In 2023 we flew out on the Wednesday and spent Thursday through to Sunday at the track like we would do at le mans. To be honest there is less to do at Daytona than lemans mainly due the the size difference. At daytona everything is one place so didnt feel like it needed all 4 days. This would be different if you were camping at the track or in a RV as im sure the evenings would be great fun.

This year fly out on the Thursday, stay in Orlando Thursday night, a day at universal studios on the Friday and then drive up to Daytona beach for the weekend and the race. Food booked at a decent restaurant for Sunday night. Then fly home Monday evening.

Im not brave enough use Ubers so will be in a hire car.

What restaurant have you booked for Sunday evening? Last time we were there, the choice was limited round Daytona beach.

The best bit about getting Uber's is see what car turns up. Mostly its an 80 year old driver in a Prius but we did have a massive Escalade for one trip.

[itsallyellow]

I can see the fun in that,

The restaurant is The Hyde Park steakhouse in the Hilton on Daytona beach. Surprisingly good. Had a great meal there in 2023. The hotel is a bit basic but good for watching space x launches from your room. You don’t have to be staying there to book the restaurant.

Who do you go out there with? In 2023 I found it very funny on the plane out as we bumped into at least 20 people we know and then didn’t manage to see them again for the entire time at the track.

[G321]

itsallyellow said:

I can see the fun in that,

The restaurant is The Hyde Park steakhouse in the Hilton on Daytona beach. Surprisingly good. Had a great meal there in 2023. The hotel is a bit basic but good for watching space x launches from your room. You don’t have to be staying there to book the restaurant.

Who do you go out there with? In 2023 I found it very funny on the plane out as we bumped into at least 20 people we know and then didn’t manage to see them again for the entire time at the track.

Thanks, I'll take a look at that restaurant. 2 years ago we went to the oyster pub over the road on the Sunday night which wasn't the best.

Flying out with Virgin from Heathrow on Thursday at 13.00

[FredericRobinson]

I see the Dubai 24 is Saturday/ Sunday now, not Friday/ Saturday, maybe it has been for a while? Certainly makes watching easier

[airbusA346]

FredericRobinson said:

I see the Dubai 24 is Saturday/ Sunday now, not Friday/ Saturday, maybe it has been for a while? Certainly makes watching easier

Looks like 2023 was when the switch to Sat/Sun was made.

[airbusA346]

Iron Dames have announced that Vanina Ickx has joined the project in their GT program. Her racing schedule to be announced in due course.

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2025/01/08/vanina-i...

Edited by airbusA346 on Wednesday 8th January 15:27

[df76]

airbusA346 said:

FredericRobinson said:

I see the Dubai 24 is Saturday/ Sunday now, not Friday/ Saturday, maybe it has been for a while? Certainly makes watching easier

Looks like 2023 was when the switch to Sat/Sun was made.

Yes, the UAE switched the country weekend to Sat / Sun back at the start of 2022, so it makes sport a whole lot easier now. Race start time should be 9am GMT.

[AndyW86]

I miss the WEC 6hrs of Silverstone!

Might have to venture over to the continent, but the mrs doesnt fly.